Orange Chicken & Vegetables - Chinese Take - In

This yummy orange chicken & vegetable stir fry is the perfect dish to add to your Chinese take in rotation.
Asian, Korean and Chinese cuisine are my favorite dishes. When my husband and I go out for dinner and he asks me what I want to eat, Chinese food is always my first answer.

 I could eat Asian food everyday and never get bored. My husband on the other hand not so much. He is more of a meat and potatoes kind of guy. That's why I take him up on Chinese food anytime it's offered.

Since I don't get to eat Chinese take out as much as I would like. The next best thing is recreating those wonderful takeout dishes at home.

Orange Chicken & Vegetables is my new favorite copy cat Chinese takeout meal. I found this recipe while I was doing my usual blog hopping over at Jamie Cooks It Up. (I just love that girl).

When I saw the photo I was hooked. Goodness who could resist lightly breaded chicken breast pieces blended with veggies and covered in a sticky, sweet orange sauce. Yum is all I can say.

My husband is a big orange flavored fan when it comes to Chinese food so; his thoughts on this dish were to add a bit of grated orange zest as a garnish.

I think that might be a great addition so I will try that next time I make it. All I can say is this was the most delicious homemade orange chicken I have had. So yes this recipe is a defiantly a keeper. 

Next time you get bitten by the Chinese takeout bug remember this recipe and just stay home and make it yourself.

Let's get started with some step by step photos. first cut the chicken breasts into 1 - 1 1/2 inch cubes. Combine the flour and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a small bowl or large zip lock bag. Toss the chicken around until all of the pieces are covered.

Heat a large skillet or wok. When it's nice and hot add 1 tablespoon of oil and then add the chicken. (add in batches of two so the chicken cooks evenly) you don't want to crowd the pan or it will be harder to brown the chicken pieces.

Cook your chicken until it is golden all over. (Approx 10 minutes) While the chicken is cooking, chop up your veggies. Make sure they are about the same size.

When the chicken is golden brown place it on a plate lined with a paper towel. Add another tablespoon of oil into the hot skillet. Add your veggies and cook over medium high heat until crisp but still tender.


While your veggies cook add all the sauce ingredients to a medium sized sauce pan. Whisk them together until they are all combined nicely. Bring to a boil.

Once it boils it should start to thicken up. When your veggies are crisp and tender add your thickened sauce to the pan and then add the chicken.


Stir the mixture until all the veggies and chicken is coated with that yummy orange sauce. Serve over white rice or Chinese noodles.


There you have it fast, easy Chinese take out at home.














26 comments

Susie Buetow said…
Yum Yum sweet mommy! Love Chinese food! I know how you like link up so stop on over and link up in my Chinese Recipe link up!!! Love to have ya! Susie at Scraps of Life

http://cafescrapper-scrapsoflife.blogspot.com/2011/01/chinese-food-take-in-recipes-and.html
Tina Butler said…
On my way over to link up. Thank you for letting me know.
Tina, you're a girl after my own heart. I too could eat Chinese Food everyday. I love the look of your Orange Chicken. It really looks wonderful. I'll be trying this one.
I'm excited to try this one. I tried a recipe a few months back for Orange chicken it was a major failure. This one looks a lot better!
Kay Little said…
Tina ~ I am going to have to bookmark this one! My husband and I are huge fans of Chinese food. Can't wait to make this one.
That looks so yummy Tina. I love Chinese food and I always make it home because I don't care too much for the Chinese place we have.

I am adding this to my to make list.
Hi Tina,
So glad it turned out well! Thanks for the link back. Hope all is going well with your packing and moving! I'm still undecided about EVO. Hoping to be able to come. Would LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to see you again.

~Jamie
DessertForTwo said…
This looks delicious!

Is that a typo--you only have 1 husband, right? I'm not here to judge or anything, just thought you might like to know ;)
Tina Butler said…
Thank you I fixed husbands to husband. Yes it was a typo. I couldn't handle more than one LOL. Although if I did have two my Honey Do List would get done a lot faster.
Tanya said…
That looks delish! I'm a big fan of Chinese food too. Yum!
sangeeta said…
This is my first visit here and i loved this orange chicken recipe.My orange chicken is made with marmalade and it is a dry finger food , this one with vegetables and sauce looks so hearty .....and healthy too.

Loved so many other recipes by you too.
Siggy said…
Hip, hip, HOORAY!!!!
There is just no good Chinese food in Raleigh and these recipes are saving me! Another one for my menu!
Quick question....is the ginger you use fresh or ground?
Anonymous said…
I made this tonight and we all loved this recipe! It is so delicious and is a snap to make. Thank you, thank you, thank you - I will make this often!
Love the idea of take-IN recipes...why not make 'em yourself, right? If you don't mind, we'd love to include this recipe in an upcoming cookbook. If you're game, feel free to share it here: http://bit.ly/GBPsharearecipe
Brenda said…
Made this over the weekend and we loved it! I used a few shortcuts like substituting my home canned chicken and purchased pre-cut frozen oriental veggies. I added a bit more orange juice and used a brown-sugar substitute but have to say it was just delish!
Sonya said…
I am like you and could eat chinese food every single day :) I made this and we loved it! thanks for a great recipe :)
Jiinx said…
Great recipe! Thanks for sharing it...my husband and i really enjoyed this :)
Sharon said…
I wanted to try this but have a question. I read through the recipe and didn't notice waterchestnuts. Yet the picture looks like they are in with the vegetables. Am I seeing that wrong? Love all of your recipes and am making your chocolate merinque pie tomorrow for a friend's birthday. Can't wait to try it! Thanks so much :o)
Tina Butler said…
Sharon, you were right the water chestnuts were left off. I fixed the recipe so you should be good to go.
Unknown said…
Looks delicious! I am in the process of making freezer meals. Do you think this would freeze well?
I made it for lunch and it was very delicious.. thanks from Saudi Arabia :)
cloey said…
Can I use ground ginger instead of using fresh one? On the jar says, use 1/4 tsp for 1tsp grated fresh ginger. If you use ground one it should be the same amount above the recipe right?
Tina Butler said…
Yes, Cloey I have done that once or twice myself.
Anonymous said…
How many pounds for 4 chicken breast? or How many cups did you use for making this dish? thanks!
G'ma Dottie said…
Sounds scrumptious. Wish there was a print button.
Tina Butler said…
G'ma there is a grey print button at the end of each post. Click on it to generate a printer friendly copy.